Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-05-14

YET O6oQ put % tho toSts No mao no means
Of knowing the strength or weakness Of
either, and he was doubtless sincere whom
he said that he would Gls0Gys love and trust
his wife. Ten minutes later he had
occasion to 20 up stairs, and in the en-
trance to his wife's room he found q scrap
Of paper, dirty and torn, folded carelessly
aud addressed to aMrs. Lawrence.
Opening it in istless way, this is what
he read:
MAY wonder If you still care for me? It
seems lifetime since saw you. am so mis-
cradle, and do so long to see you just once
Give me one of the oId-time kisses tonight,
dear. dare not show myself, 30 meet me ct
o'clock Tor as soon after as possible) by your
carriage-house. Pray do not let anv one see you.
neither give them, IN any way, room for sus-
picion. DICK"
If some one had struck Paul Lawrence a
terrible blow he could not have felt more
stunned.
At first he was amazed, then grieved,
and then angry; not with flaming. furious
anger which would rage for a short time
and then spend itself, but quietly in
tense, dangerous anger, which would
shoulder and burn until it reached white
heat.
A few moments before he had held i'll
his arms the woman whom he had made
his wife, whom he had loved and honored
his first and only love. Now he began to
hate her, only began, because his hatred
was of that sort which would grow in in
tensity.
The first effects of the blow having
passed away, Paul Lawrence did not lose
his head. He did not propose to act like
an excited boy and spoil everything. He
would wait and see the end-wait and
know how unfaithful trusted wife could
be. And then
Two hours afterward Paul Lawrence had
secreted himself behind some shrubbery
within sight of his own carriage house.
From his hiding place he soon saw enough
to persuade him that, although he had a
wife, her love was not his. For he beheld
that slender form enclosed in two strong
arms; while, without any appearance OF
shyness or fear, his-Paul Lawrence's-
wife kissed, more than once, the man with
whom she had made this assignment.
A few minutes passed away. and May
entered the house by, a door not often used
in winter time. Her husband met her.
his anger very nearly at a white heat.
"Where have you been?" asked he.
"To the carriage house, Paul"
"And why there?"
May was confused. She had not
counted upon meeting her husband SO
soon, and she told lie.
II have mislaid my pocket book, and
thought might possibly have left it in the
carriage this morning."
Paul, of course, knew that his wife lied,
and she saw that Paul suspected the
falsehood. But she did not anticipate her
huShand's newt words.
Liar! I know where you have been
and what you have been doing. See, here
is the note he wrote you; take it, l
do not want it. Let me think-you
are my wife. remember, we
were married, and you are known
as Mrs. Lawrence. Well. Mrs. Lawrence,
you are a credit to your too simple hus-
band"
ooh, Paul." began May. whose tears
were fast flowing.
"Don't address me as Paul." shouted
the angry man. II know am your hus-
band, but don't speak to me or may for
get myself and strike woman. Listen.
We cannot share the same roof another
hour. You may stay here and will 60
away--or you can leave me here. Please
yourself. You will have all the money
you need, but never let me see your cursed,
false face again. Do you understand?
Which way is it to be?"
"Paul, you mast listen" sobbed May.
"He said should say nothing to you,
but"
"Curse you! Dare you tell me what he
said? Great Heaven, if I had not been q
fool or a coward should have killed you
both, as I saw you together behind the
carriage house! Mention him again and.
by the living God, I will shoot you right
herei Say, quickly, who leaves this house,
May shivered and tremblingly said:
Paul, you are unjust; but I will go
away. It is your house, stay here. 1
thought I was too happy. Goodbye,
Paul"
She waited, unconsciously almost, for
him to say word. But anger, jealousy,
and hatred had changed Paul Lawrence
into demon. Silent and unmoved he
his wife step out alone into the
darkness, alone, to face the cold wintry
night and the cold world.
Yet, about midnight, Paul Lawrence re-
fore, and once sigh escaped him.
III.
A miserable night. Rain and sleet fall |
ing I0rOugQ the Q6rKneSbS RuSCS OF W1nO
rattling through the leadess branches of
he trees.
Outside, a woman-a lady we'll and |
warmly dressed, but, oh, SO cold at heart,
md so unhappy. Inside darkened room
md upon bed q sick man-so sick that,
humanity speaking, he cannot live to see |
he light Of the coming day.
The woman outside crept along by the |
vail of the house and timidly peered be-
ween the blinds. She saw the man lying |
lpon his bed, his life trembling in the bal
noes, and by his side, closely watching |
With professional keenness, she beheld the |
physician. Then, as she fancied the doctor |
aised his eyes toward the window where |
he stood, she shrank away.
Throwing herself upon the low veranda,
lear by, she sobbed aloud. @Oh, Paul,
Paul, my love. my husband! Why did you
lot trust me, Paul2"
And for answer came nothing but the
moan of the wind and the pitiless driving
leet.
Poor May, she was eart-broken. One
'ear had changed her from beautiful wo-